These windows are opened one by one each day at the singing of the antiphon. But in recent years families interested in the liturgy have discovered these gems of poetry and have used them as part of their family evening prayers, sometimes in conjunction with the "O Antiphon House." This is a little house which can be bought or constructed simply it has seven sealed windows, each masking an appropriate symbol for the different "O Antiphons," and an eighth window hiding the Christmas scene. The "O Antiphons" are intoned with special solemnity in monasteries at the Vesper Hour, before and after our Lady's great song of thanksgiving, the Magnificat, which is sung every evening as the climax of this Hour of the Divine Office. Addressing Christ with seven magnificent titles, they beg Him with mounting impatience to come to save His people. They seem to sum up all our Advent longing as they paint in vivid terms the wretched condition of mankind and his need of a Savior. The "O Antiphons" are seven jewels of liturgical song, one for each day until Christmas Eve. On this evening is inaugurated the first of the Great "O's" of Advent. On the evening of December 17 the last and most intensive phase of Advent preparation begins. The very name Advent, and the Masses of the four Sundays with their urgent plea to Christ to "hasten and delay not" have reminded us that we are awaiting His coming in grace at Christmas, and in glory at the end of time. The theme of the Advent season has been one of joyous expectancy as the Church, in vigilant preparation, waited and watched for the first signs of the coming of the Lord. The "O Antiphons" Crown of Advent Preparation Drawing on the rich texts of the Advent season, the Novena also includes the proper "O Antiphon," sung before and after the Magnificat each day. Because the idea of making a Novena on the last nine days of Advent appeals to many families, a traditional "Christmas Novena" is presented here, adapted and shortened for family use.
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